The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) board of directors has awarded a $4 million contract to Syncromatics to design, install, and operate a network of 300 real-time bus information signs at the busiest bus shelters across Los Angeles County. The electronic signs, the first to be deployed widely in the Metro bus system, will provide real time arrival times, service alerts, and other information about Metro buses, as well as those operated by other regional transit agencies that share bus shelters.
Syncromatics has installed and operated electronic transit signs in cities across the United States, and this project will expand the Downtown LA technology firm’s local footprint.
“Not knowing if or when your bus is coming can be very stressful, so these electronic signs will remove a barrier for new riders and deliver peace of mind to the millions of our neighbors who rely on Metro buses,” said CEO Ian Sephton. “This contract validates the scalability of the Syncromatics technology platform, and we look forward to taking on more big projects like this in the future.”
Improving the bus rider experience is a top priority for Metro. The new signs will feature text-to-speech technology to make audio announcements for visually impaired riders, and roughly 100 locations will include solar panels to eliminate any impact on the electric grid.
"Live bus arrival times and service alerts remain out of reach for the 62% of Metro who don’t own smartphones," said Board Member and Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin, citing an internal Metro survey. "Bringing real-time information to the bus stop is a common sense technology solution to an age-old problem, and it will improve the transit experience for all."
As the prime contractor for the project, Syncromatics is responsible for the design, permitting, and construction of the signs, including providing electric service to many locations that currently lack power. Syncromatics will provide data management services to process real time and scheduled bus arrival times for thousands of vehicles and distribute the information to the electronic signs over the cellular data network. The company’s software will also allow for dynamic messaging on signs to inform transit users of delays, detours, and special events. Spread across more than 25 cities, the phased roll out of new electronic signs will be completed in 2018.
